Trailer truck



1920 3 Sheets-Sheet. 2

Wlili Aug. 5 1924.

A. B. CADMAN TRAILER TRUCK Filed July 10 wwhi" n M .Aug. 5 1924. I 1,503,815

A. B. CADMAN TRAILER TRUCK Filed July 10, 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 \7 flZg 5 ing =these Wheels.

Patented Aug. 5, 1924.

*UNtTt-E errant Quai -ca ADDILBE'NJAM IN UADMAIKT, 0F "BE-L015, WISCONSIN, -A'SSIGNOR TO KNARNER IVIANUFAG- TUBING COMPANY, OF BELOIT, WISCONSIN, A CORPGRATION 0 WISCONSIN.

TRAILER TRUCK.

Application filed July 10,

To'aZZ whom z't may concern.- 1

Be it knoWntha-t I, Anni BENJAMIN Cam MAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Beloit, in the county of Rockand State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in "Trailer Trucks, of Which the following is a spec-ifi' cation.

This invention relates 'to steering mecha nism for a founwheel trailer truck of the reversible type, thatis to say, whereinthe truck may be drawn and'stee'red fromeither end,the front pairof Wheels being attached to'the draw bar to be steered thereby-While the rear pair of heels is locked in position parallelto the'body frame ofthetruck;

In moving atrailer truck of this char acter into and out of positions to load and unload the same, it is frequently necessary to'back up the trailer andthe drawing unit (usually "a motortruck), and it may often be necessary to back from the street into an alley running at right angles fthereto or even 'to back the motor truck and trailer through a sinuous path in order to get around other trucks,railroadcars, loading platforms, or otherobstacles. 7

. In order to obtain themaximum flexibility and to, facilitate the operation under conditions such as described,it is desirable that the steering device which connects the draw-.barto the Wheels be capable of being disconnected so that 'the Wheels may, at times,be locked in position parallel to the body frame or perpendicular to the axle, and amay, at other. times, be connected to the draw-bar to be steered thereby, and may, .at still other times, be disconnected altogether so as to allow the Wheels to be manually swung by the operator.

To facilitate an understanding of the purposes of such a construction it maybe said that when the trailer is being drawn forwardly the front Wheels are connected to the draW-barto be steered thereby While the rear Wheels are locked in position parallel to the body frame. When the trailer is being backed, the front-wheels, i. e., the "Wheels near the motor truck, are detached from "the dratv bar and locked in position parallel to the body frame so that they-Will run in a straight line, leaving the draw-bar Wiich is attached to the motor truck free to swing through its full arowithout affect- At the same time the 1920. Serial No. "395,273.

rear pair of Wheels (-now the leading wheels in backing) are unlocked from their position parallel to the body frame so 'that they may be manually steered by the operator to *lead the trailer and motontruck in the desired pat-h.

It may frequently be necessary to stop backing and pull ahead a short di tance to reposition the truck and trailer for further backing. When this is to be done, therear Wheels are again locked inposition parallel to the body frame and the front Wheels are unlocked from such'parallel position and are connectedto the draw-bar so asto be steered by the latter in pulling ahead.

It will be apparent that at the end of the previous backing operation the front draw-bar will frequently lie inan'gular position relative to the center line of the trailer so that it is impossible toconnect the wheels to the draw-bar Without shifting the/Wheels around into alinement with the draw-bar. It isan object of my inventionto produce an improved construction which permits of unlocking the wheels from their position parallel to the body-frame and manually swinging them into position parallel to the draw bar so that they may be connected to the latter preparatory to pulling ahead; also the reverse of this operation, that is to say, disconnecting the 'WllGBlS from the draw-bar and swinging-them into position parallel to the body frame to be locked in such position preparatoryto another backing up operation.

Another object-of the invention is to providean improved "steering gear of simple and durable construction having a minimum number of j ointsyand adapted to accommodate itself to all of the conditions hereinbefore mentioned and many other conditions encountered in practical use so as to facilitate to the maximum degree-the moving of a trailer and its tractor into and out of diflicult posit-ions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a steering gear adapted for use in a trailer wherein the draw-bar is mounted on the body frame andsaid frame is supported upon the aXlesb-y springs and to arrange the steering gear so *that'the relative approaching and receding movements between the body frame andthe axles will not affect thesteering gear or'change thepositions or 'angularityof the wheels in any Way.

A, further object is to provide a trailer truck of the type just outlined in which the steering gear is mainly mounted on the axle and comprises a portion which extends upward for the connection to the draw-bar; and in which the steering gear or-a portion thereof may be detachably locked directly to the axle, so that the wheels may be held in position parallel to the body frame, or may be allowed to be swung, as may be desired, either by the draw-bar or manually lay the operator independently of the drawar. Another object of the invention is to provide an improved steering gear in which the inclined steering lever is connected to the draw-bar at the extreme forward end of the latter beyond the end of the body frame, whereby the steering lever may be conveniently attached to and, detached from the draw bar and will provide a long leverage for manually turning the wheels, and whereby the connection will be as direct as possi- 3 ble from the coupler head on the inner drawbar section to the wheels so as to eliminate any efiect on the steering which might be caused by looseness or play between the sectlons of the draw-bar, or in the mounting of f' the latter on its king pin.

times connected to the first part and is mounted to swing up and down so that it may be secured either to the draw-bar or to a bracket rigid with the axle, or be capable of free lateral movement, at the will of the operator.

A further object is to provide in a trailer truck of the type outlined an improved coupling head of simple and durable construction which is designed to afford quickly manipulated and secure attachment for the draft means, to operate efliciently under the varied conditions of the truck being moved forward or backward and of drawing other trailers, and to positively lock the steering lever by means readily releasable within a cushioned seat adapted to prevent all side play of the lever.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a sectional elevation illustrating one end of a trailer truck embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view showing somewhat diagrammatically a trailer truck connected with the rear portion of a motor truck or other tractor, and illustrating one position of the parts in the operation of backing the trailer, the wheels adjacent to the motor F 5 is a fragmentary detail view showing in sectional elevation the construction of the coupler head, and its connectlon with the steering gear.

Figs. 6 and 7 are detail plan views of parts of the steering gear mounted on the axle.

Fig. 8 illustrates in perspective the device for locking the steering lever in the coupler head.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention which is shown in the drawings, the trailer, aside from the steering gear, is simi lar in construction to that, shown in my prior Patent No. 1,245,676, issued November 6, 1917, to which reference maybe had for general information as to the structure of this type of trailer. I a

Referring to Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings, the reference numeral 7 designates a drawing unit or tractor which is connected by means ofalink 8. to a coupler head 9 on the draw-bar 10 of a trailer truck which is constructed in accordance with my present invention. truck comprises the usual body frame or chassis frame 11 mounted by means of a suitable spring suspension 18 upon a pair of axles 17 having pivoted stub axles at their ends upon which the wheels 12 are mounted. The draw-bar is pivoted at itsrear end to a cross piece 14, forming part of the body frame, by means of a king pin 15. In the embodiment illustrated, the draw-bar is a The running gear of this trailer 7 permanently mounted draft means, and

comprises an outer casing with an inner spring cushioned draft-bar, substantially as shown in my prior Patent No. 1,304,261, issued May 20,1919. The forward end of the draw-bar housing projects through a slot or guideway formed between the end of the frame 11 and a supporting bar or rest 16 (Figs. 1 and 4) attached thereto. The other section of the draw-bar slides longitudinally within this housing and carries the coupler head 9 at its forward end. Means designated 13 are provided for locking the draw-bar housing in central osition on the body frame in a manner ful y disclosed in my prior Patent No. 1,305,521, issued June The means for connecting the draw-bar to the dirigible wheels for steering the latter, for locking the wheels at right angles to the axle, and for permitting manipulation of the wheels by hand will now be described- Thetwo steering arms 19 of each.

ment upon a vertical king pin 22-which iscarried by a bracket 23 mounted centrally of the axle 17. Thebracket-23-is formed with a bearing plate 23" (Fig. 6) in which the king pin 22 is centered and-whic'lrsupports the lever 21. Laterally extending wings 23 integral with the bracket 23, overlie the axle 17 andare rigidly secured thereto, as by means of bolts 23 and 23 against longitudinal or rotary movement of th K bracket relative to the axle.

The lever in the present instance is substantially T-shaped (Figs. 3 and 7 one arm of the lever normally extending at rightangles to the axle 11' and being connected- 3 and 1). The pin 26 may be fixed in either pair of bearings or 27, being rotatable inthe other bearings so as to permit of a swinging movement of thelever 28 upand down'on said pin as an, axis.

The lever 28 is composed of. two telescoping sections, an outer section 28 carrying the forked end and bearings 27, and an inner section 28 sl-idable for a part of its length within the outer section. A sleeve 28 is fixed on the inner section and 'slidably encloses the forward end 'of the outer section.

The lever 28 is detachably connected to the extreme forward end of the draw-bar by means of a ball' 29 (Figs-5 and 8) carried on the forward-end of thesection 28 and releasably engaged by a locking device located in the coupler head 9. The said locking device comprises asocket member 30 adapted to receive the ball 29'and forming an annular block slidably supported within a chambered barrel 31 formed on the lower front portion of the coupler head. A stem 32 extending through the base of the chamber and having stop means on its outer end retains, the member 30 in the chamber and limits the action-of a cushion ing spring 33 located between the socket member and the base of the chamber. locking lever 3-1 having a pivot mounted on the coupler'head 9 carries a yoke'36 which embraces the section 28 of the steering lever rearwardly of the ball29 and locks the latter in its seat upon-thesocket member 30.

The yoke is held in locking position by a springv 37suitably mounted between the lever 31 and the upper wall of the coupler head; A lug 36 is formed on the yoke 36 and extends over the wall of the chamber 31, actin as'a stop, when the steer ing lever is disconnected, to hold the yoke in position to receive the ball 29.

The steering lever is connected to the couplerhead by simply sliding the ball end 29 into engagement with thesocket member, in which operation the. yoke is forced upward over the ball. The yoke is brought into locking position back of the ball by the spring 37 when the engagement is complete. To release the steering lever the lever 34L is depressed, thus raising the yoke 36 and permitting the ball 29 tobe forced out of engagement therewith by the action of the spring 33.

A ball 38 and arecess 39 normally closed by a spring actuated dog 40 are provided upon the .coupler head 9 for the attachment of coupling means, substantially as set forth inmy said Patent No. 1,2 l5,67 6. A project ing lug 11 formed on the forward end of the coupler head is provided to support the coupling means when used manuallyv or when disconnected from the tractor.

l/Vhen the lever 28 is detached from the draw-bar it may be manipulated manually toposition the wheels at the desired angle, and if desired it may be lowered into engagement with an upstanding device 1-2 on the bracket 23 on the axle so as to secure the lever against lateral swinging movement and thereby hold the wheels at right angles to the axle or parallel to the body frame. The device 42 as illustrated comprises a lug adapted to enter a recess formed on the run der side of the steering lever.

In the operation or use of the trailer, the rear wheels are normally locked at right angles to the axle through the steering lever 28 which is locked to the draw-bar coupler head 9 by the locking device 2936, the draw-bar in turn being 'lockediin its central position on the body frame by the locking means 13. The front wheels are left free to be swung by the draw-bar while the trailer is travelling forwardly by disconnecting the locking means 13 leaving the draw-bar free to swing laterally and carry with it the steering lever 28.

hen it is desired to back up the trailer, the front wheels (now the following wheels) are locked at right angles to the axle by disconnecting the lever 28 from the draw-bar and lowering said lever into engagement with the stop device 42 on the bracket 23. The front draw-bar which is coupled to the motor truck is thus left free to swing laterally without affectingthe wheels. The rear wheels (now the leading wheels in backing) may be manually steered by unlocking the device 13 which freesthe draw-bar 10 and ill) permits it to swing together with the lever 28. Preferably, the lever 28 is disconnected from the draw-bar by uncoupling the lever 28 from the draw-bar coupler head, whereby the wheels may be steered manually by swinging the lever 28 free of the draw-bar. To increase the leverage on the wheels and facilitate steering them by hand the telescoping sections of the lever may be extended to their maximum length.

a It is sometimes necessary after backing up to pull ahead a short distance so as to straighten out the motor truck preparatory to further backing and when this is to be done the rear wheels of the trailer are again locked at right angles to the axle while the front wheels are unlocked by raising the lever 28 out of engagement'with the fixed stop 42 and securing said lever to the draw-- bar by the locking device 29-36. It usually happens at the end of the backing up operation, that the front draw'bar which is attached to the motor truck extends at an an gle to the longitudinal center line of the trailer so that when the lever 28 is raised vertically out of engagement with the lock ing device 42 on the axle bracket it is not in the proper position to connect with the looking device on the draw-bar coupler head.

The lever and the wheels therefore must be swung laterally to position the lever directly beneath and in general alinement with the draw-bar 10 in order to couple the locking device 29-36. This operation is very easily performed with the steering gear herein shown and the reverse of the operation is equally easy, that is to say, the detachment of the lever 28 from the draw-bar when extending at an angleto the center line and the movement of the lever into position beneath the center line so as to engage with the device 42 for locking the wheels to the axle.

My construction allows for a variety of relationships of the various parts to facilitate the performance of their duty under the varying conditions of use. The wheels may be locked at right angles to the axle in two ways, to-wit: by engaging the lever 28 with the stop device {t2on the axle or by coupling the said lever to the draw-bar and locking the draw-bar to the body frame by thedevice 13. The wheels may be manually steered when desired by unlocking the device 13 while the lever 28 is coupled to the drawbar and swinging the draw-bar to turn the wheels, but this manual steering is preferably accomplished by detaching the lever 28 from the draw-bar and swinging the wheels directly by said lever.

It will be seen that the steering gear herein disclosed is of very simple and durable construction, comprising a minimum'nulm ber of parts and therefore a minimum num ber of joints at which looseness or play can occur. By reason of the fact that the steerfor the purpose ofshifting the wheels. Furthermore, the lever provides a direct connection between the steering element on the axle and the element (the coupler head 9) to which the pulling and steering power is first applied, so that any play or lost motion be tween the sections of the draw bar, or at the king pin mounting thereof,'will not affect the accuracy of the steering.

In some of the trailers of the prior art, by reason of the construction of the steering gear employed therein, any relative approaching or receding movement between the body frame and the axle would act to swing the wheels. This is an eflect which is very objectionable, and which is entirely eliminated by my construction. approaching and receding movement is takencare of by relative motion between the telescoping parts of the steering lever 28,

The said without in any way affecting the position of r the steering means as a whole or the wheels,

and the telescoping lever 28 also accommo dates the relative sliding movements of the inner draw bar section with relation to the outer section, such movements being allowed for by the cushioning springs within the outer section. In all of these relative movements of the parts the steering means receives its motion directly from. the coupler head 9. I

A further distinct advantage resides in my construction of the locking device in the coupler head which receives'the outer end of the steering lever. Any looseness or lateral play in the connection between the draw bar and the steering lever permits the latter to swing independently while the truck is in motion and causes'the wheels to travel irregularly. At the same time the connection must be flexible enough to accommodate the relative movements of the parts just described. Also it must be a p ostive lock which prevents the steering lever from being shaken out or otherwise accidentally disengaged in operation. My construction of the ball upon the end of the steering lever secured between the yoke of the locking lever and the spring pressed socket block, pro vides a firm connection, positively locket and sufficiently flexible. It also aids rapid manipulation of the steering lever when re quired by forcing the telescoping forward section ofthe steering lever free of the coupler head upon tripping the hand lever 3st to release the yoke from the ball.

While I have shown a preferred embodi- V tail, I recognize that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and therevertical axis on said" axle and connected with said wheels,'an inclinedlever having its front end detachably connected to said draw bar and havingits rear end connected to said steering lever to rockiip and down thereon but to cause rotation of said steering lever about its axis, means for locking said draw bar to the "body frame in ,acentral position, and means rigid with saidaxle with which said inclined lever is arranged to be: interengaged when disconnectedfrom the draw bar whereby to hold the wheels at right angles to theaxle.

i 2. A trailer. truck having, in combination,

a body frame, adraw bar pivotally mounted thereon, an axle having swiveled carrying wheels, and means mounted mainly on said axle for steering the wheels and including a part whichis arranged to be detachably connected either to the draw bar or to-an element mounted directly on theaxle selectively. v

3. A trailer truck having, in combination,

' a body frame, a draw bar pivota-lly mounted thereon an axle having swiveled carrying wheels thereon, and means mounted mainly on said axle for steering. the wheels and includinga lever pivoted to the remainder of p the steering means to swing 'iipyand down. with relation theretogsaid' leverbeing arranged to be detachably connectedtd the draw bar whereby thewheelswill swing with thedra w bar, and adapted to be detached from the draw bar and loweredint-o position for engagement withla part on said axle whereby the wheels maybe locked in rightangular relation to the .axle.

.taAtrailer truck having, in combination, body name, a main axle having swiveled carrying wheels thereon, I springs supporting said frame from said axle, a draw 'bar comprising: aneu'ter "lioiising section pivotally mounted on said fraineand an inner section slidable within the outer section andcarrying acoupling eiementtn its forward end, means for locking said outer section of the draw. bar in centralIpositi-on on the body frame, and steeringmeans comprising two main parts-one part of which is mounted on the axle to swing on a vertical pivot and is connected to the wheels for swinging the latter, the other part of which i is mounted on the first part to swing therewith and also to swing up anddown with relation thereto, the second mentioned part being of telescoping construction, means providing a detachable connection between the free end of the second mentioned part and the forward end of the inner section of said draw bar, and means on said axle with which the second mentioned part is arranged to be interlocked when detached from the draw bar and swung downwardly whereby to lock the wheels at right angles "to the. axle.

5. A trailer truck having a body frame,

draft means permanently mounted on the :frame, an axle equipped with dirigible wheels, and means by which said wheels may be selectively connected to said draft means or locked to said axle, said means including a -member pivoted'to swing up anddown, and

means co-operating with said member whereby a connection may be established be tween the wheels and'the' draft means for steering the wheels, or the wheels may be locked at right angles to the axle, as desired.

6. A trailer trnck having, in combination a body frame, draft means carried-by the frame, an axle having dirig1ble' wheelsthereon, and steering means carried mainly by said axle and arranged selectivelyto be locked directly to the axle, or to be connected tosaid draft'means, or to bei inanually operated to swingthe wheels independently of said draft means, as desired.

7 7. A trailer truck having a bodyframe carrying a pivoted draw bar and an axle equipped with dirig'ible wheels, in, combination with a steeringlever pivoted on the .mid portion of said axle to swingon a vertical axis and connected to said wheels, a lever pivotallyattached to the first mentioned lever to swing 'therewithlaboutsaid axis and tofswing up and'down with relation to the first lever, means for detacliably locking the second lever directly to the axle to prevent swinging of said wheels, and means 'to provide afdetachable connection between said second lever and said draw bar whereby the wheels maybe steered from the draw bar. I

8. A trailer truck having abodyframe icarrying a pivoted draw bar-and an axle equipped with dirigible wheels, in combination with a steering levenpivoted on the mid portion of said axle to swing on a vertical axis, and connected to said f wheels, a

leverpi-vo tally attached to the first inem tioned lever to swing therewit-hab o ut said axis" and to swing "up and down with relation to the first lever, means for detachably locking the second lever directly to the axle to prevent swinging of said wheels,and

means to provide a detachable connection between said second lever and Said draw bar to be detached from the axle and the draw bar and being then free to be operated manually for swinging the wheels.

9. A trailer truck having a body frame which carries a pivoted draw bar and an axle which is equipped with dirigible wheels, in combination with a steering lever pivoted on the mid portion of said axle to swing on a vertical axis and connected to said wheels, a second lever pivotally at tached to the first lever to swing therewith and also to swing up and down with relation thereto, means for locking the second lever directly to said axle, means for looking the upper end of the second lever di rectly to said draw bar and means for allowing lost motion between the steering lever and the draw bar.

10. A trailer truck having a body frame which carries a pivoted draw bar and a fixed axle whichis equipped with dirigible wheels, in combination with a steering lever pivoted on the mid portion of said axle to swing on a vertical axis and connected to said wheels, and means to provide a detachable connection between said lever and the free end of said draw bar beyond the end of said body frame.

11. A trailer truck having a body frame 7 which carries a pivoted draw bar having an extensible member and an axle which is equipped with dirlglble wheels, 1n combination with a steering lever pivoted on the mid portion of said axle to swing ona vertical axls and connected to said wheels, and

a lever pivotally attached at one end to said steering lever to swing therewith and also to swing up and down with relation thereto, the opposite end of the latter lever hav ing means for its detachable connection to said extensible draw bar member, and said latter lever having means for longitudinal extension and contraction.

12. A trailer truck having, in combination, a body frame, an axle supporting said frame and having swivelled wheels thereon,

steering means mounted mainly on said axle including a steering lever having its outer end forming a ball, a draw bar pivotally mounted on said frame, a coupler head carried by said draw bar, and a device mounted in said coupler head adapted to receive and detachably lock the ball end of said steering lever to said coupler head comprising a chamber formed on said coupler head having a compression spring located in its base, a sliding socket member carried in said chamber abutting said spring and having means for limiting the movement of said member outwardly from said chamber, a locking lever pivoted to said coupler head and having a spring pressed yoke adapted to embrace said steering lever and lock the sion spring carried in said barrel, a socket member slidable within said barrel and adapted to receive said ball and thereby be ing forced inwardlyto compress said. spring, and a locking lever pivoted to said draw bar having ayoke arranged to detachably engage said ball oppositely from said socket member whereby said ball is secured against withdrawal from said socket.

14. In a trailer truck having a draw bar pivoted on the body frame and a steering lever pivoted on the axle, the combination of a ball formed on the swinging end of said steeringlevena coupler head mounted on: said draw bar, a spring pressed socket member mounted on said coupler head adapted to receive said ball and thereby compress said spring, and a forked element pivoted, on said "coupler head. having detachable engagement with said ball oppositely from said socket member whereby said ball is locked against withdrawal from said socket. V 1

15. In atrailertruck having'a body frame i and an axlefthe combination of an extensible draw bar'pivoted'to said frame, an extensible steering lever pivoted on said axle, and having telescoping sections with a sliding joint, said draw bar and steering leverbeing detachably interconnected at their outer ends, and means for protecting sald sliding omt compr s nga sleeve'mount ed on one of said sections arranged to extend over and enclose at all times the exposed sliding surfaces of said joint;

16. A trailer truck having, in combina tion, a drawbar comprising two sections, one of which is pivoted to the trailer and the other of which is arranged to slide with relation to the first-mentioned section, a

steering lever, comprising tworelatively slidable sections one of which is'pivoted to the trailer and connected to the wheels for turning the wheels, and means for detachably connecting the other section of said steering lever to the second-mentioned section of said draw bar.

17. In a trailer. truck, the combination of a pivoted draw bar, a pivoted steering lever having relatively slidable sections, and

means for operatively connecting the free end. of said steering lever to said draw bar" comprising a ball mounted on said steering lever, a spring pressed socket mounted on said draw bar and a locking device operatively associated therewith, said socket and locking device coacting to receive and retain said ball and to eject said ball from said socket when said locking device is released.

18. In a trailer truck, the combination of a pivoted draw bar, a coupler head mounted on said draw bar, a pivoted steering lever having relatively slidable sections, and a socket mounted in said coupler head, said socket opening rearwardly relative to said draw bar and adapted to receive and detachably retain the forward end of said steering lever.

19. In a trailer truck, the combination of a pivoted draw bar, a coupler head mounted on said draw bar, a pivoted steering lever having relatively slidable sections, a ball mounted on the free end of said steering lever, a spring pressed socket mounted in said coupler head and opening rearwardly to receive said ball, a locking lever pivoted on said coupler head adapted to engage and retain said ball in said socket and operable to release said ball thereby permitting said spring pressed socket to eject said ball from said coupler head.

20. In a trailer truck, the combination of.

a pivoted draw bar, a pivoted steering lever extending in the same general direction with said draw bar and being longitudinally extensible, a ball mounted on the extended end of said lever, and means including a socket mounted on said draw bar adapted to be detachably engaged with said ball in the 1mgitudinal extension of said lever.

21. A traller truck having a body frame, a draw-bar pivoted on sald frame, means able to said draw-bar or to said axle.

22. A trailer truck comprising, in combination, a running gear including dirigible wheels, a draw-bar, a steering bar, and connections arranged to steer said wheels, said steering bar being mounted to swing horizontally with said draw-bar and also being mounted to swing up and down, and means for optionally securing said steering bar in its different positions of elevation either to the draw-bar or to a fixed part of the running gear.

23. In a trailer. the combination of a chassis frame, an axle, a spring suspension for the chassis frame upon the axle, a draw bar pivotally supported upon the chassis frame, a steering lever which can be detachably engaged with the draw bar, and means on the axle for locking the steering lever in the central position.

24;. In a trailer, the combination of a chassis frame, an axle, a spring suspension for the frame upon the axle, and a telescoping steering lever pivoted to the axle in a hori zontal plane and collapsible, and means for locking the collapsed lever in a central neutral position.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

ADDI BENJAMIN GADMAN. 

